Floods, serious landslides in Nepal cause great casualties

Nepalese officials on August 17 confirmed at least 84 people were killed and nearly 160 people missing in a series of landslides and floods across the country over the past week.

>>> Thelandslide in Nepal left 8 people dead, 200 missing

Nepal's Ministry of Housing said a week-long heavy rain across the country has caused serious landslides and floods, isolated many villages, destroyed roads and infrastructure in many areas. area.

According to the ministry, 10 westernmost towns in Nepal are the hardest hit areas.

Due to being unable to reach these areas by road, rescuers had to use helicopters to evacuate stranded people and provide necessities for people in the disaster area.

Flooding scene in Banke district, 351km from Kathmandu, Nepal to the west.(Photo: AFP / VNA)

As of August 17, rescue forces have evacuated about 20,000 people in this area.

The ministry said the region is currently dealing with another urgent problem: the cholera outbreaks of victims and cattle carcasses polluting the water.

The National Disaster Control Agency recommends that people in flood areas do not use polluted water, and mobilize medical staff to set up rescue centers, provide clean water and food for people.

Every year, in the rainy season, this poor Himalayan region is constantly suffering from severe landslides and floods, causing great human and property losses.

On August 2, a landslide occurred in Sindhupalchowk district in Northeast Nepal, killing 156 people and missing many people.

Meanwhile, in neighboring Nepal, India also experienced heavy rain and severe flooding, killing at least 24 people since August 15.

Indian media say some towns in the state of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in the north have recorded serious flooding after heavy rains in the upper Himalayan rivers.